Plucked from the last battlefields of the final war, mercenary Deunan Knute finds herself pressed into duty with the ESWAT, defenders of the Utopian city of Olympus. But serpents lurk beneath the peaceful surface of this apparent Garden of Eden, and new seeds of destruction have already been planted! Now it’s up to Deunan and her former lover, the now-cyborg Briareos, to unravel a deadly web of plots that threaten to bring down Olympus from within!

Commentary:

2015 just might become the year of the retread or revival of some long beloved films and series. Appleseed is one of those films that was at the forefront of Computer Generated animation and one of the first anime that Sori got his hands on. In 2004 when this first came out it was hailed for its visual presence and the strength of the story itself. It may not have gotten the same praise that Final Fantasy The Spirits Within, but it did find a special spot in the hearts of many a anime fan.

Looking back at the film today it is hard to find the same level of awe or the interest in the story line. It does bring back plenty of fond memories though and I have a feeling that is what Sentai is expecting. With the creation of the Sentai Selects I am interested to see how Sentai uses this new grouping. I have seen what they have planed for release later this year under that subset. I see it as being used much the way Anime Classics is used by one of their major competitors.

Either way it is great to see Appleseed regain some new life and possibly get seen by a new generation of anime fans. I for one love the film.

Extras:

Alternate English Dub, Audio Commentary, The Birth of 3D Live Anime, Staff Profiles, Original Japanese Trailer, Special Japanese Trailer.

Overall Grade: B

When giving a new grade to a film that in the past you gave a high rating to is difficult. Based on how dated the CG looks I found it hard to stay focused and with my love of the film from 10 years ago I found myself becoming a little disappointed with the film.

This of course is a very personal aspect to the my viewing enjoyment and feel as though a new fan will find the film a lot more engaging. I still loved story and can see how much impact Appleseed had on many of the newer writers and film makers, I is a true classic I just wish I could have graded this version higher.

If you are new to the film then you should try to look past the dated CG and pay attention to the story. I know you will be hooked in no time.

This set contains Ghost in the Shell: Arise Borders 1 and 2 on Blu-ray and DVD!

Border 1: Ghost Pain
When cyborg hacker Motoko Kusanagi is hired to investigate a devastating bombing, she must fight her way through a maze of phantom memories to unlock her mysterious past – and track down the evil mastermind behind the attacks.

Border 2: Ghost Whispers
Witness the formation of the legendary Public Security Section 9. When a clandestine organization hacks every car in the city, Kusanagi recruits a lethal team of cyber operatives that includes a badass brawler with Special Forces training, an explosives expert, a technology specialist, and a chain-smoking jack-of-all-trades with a sordid past. Together this ruthless gang of enforcers sets out to clamp down on the chaos and make the city safe again.

Commentary:

It has been years since we have been graced with the Ghost in the Shell franchise and it is about time that we are treated to this ground breaking series. The wait is well rewarded. The two episodes in this set are both great in their approach and also their delivery. Both are imaginative and slick in production. I did find some of the CG to be a little lacking in quality, but overall it really hit the spot.

With the main character being the cold and somewhat calculating Motoko Kusanagi who seems to be on a private mission. In the first episode, Ghost Pain, we are treated to the basics behind the short series and the solid backbone to the stories to come. We see a cyber operative who has no past and no future, but in her own way she is quickly creating a future that she can own all to herself and in her own way she will also begin to give a team of societies tools a chance to work in the shadows and at the same time live their lives in the bright light that they all have hidden fro their entire lives.

Ghost in the Shell Arise, gives a new look at the world that suggest that there might be a time when life will be both improved by cybernetics and darkened by the way both the military and enemies of the state will use these new powers. It also paints a picture of a world that has begun to rely on technology way too much. It may be part of the story and the old Sci Fi genre that has been out there for many years, but with our own move to becoming too attached to our phones / computers the world of Ghost In The Shell feels all to possible.

Overall Grade: A-

Both of these episodes remind me of why I and many others are big fans of the Ghost In The Shell franchise and why they manage to hit the mark in both story telling and a peek into a future that is less than favorable. So, if you haven’t had the chance to see any of the Ghost in the Shell films or series then there is no reason to miss these two. There are another two episodes in this series and I for one am looking forward to seeing them. There is plenty of story left, I just hope they don’t roll through the next too quickly. So, bring it on I am waiting.

Animeggroll : St Louis Anime Store

July 2017

Animeggroll has moved to Taubman Prestige Outlet, located at 17057 (space 152) North Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, Mo 63005. Please note, our hours listed below and that we are closed on Mondays.

We are a St. Louis anime store, opening in October of 2010.

Regular Hours:
Monday Closed
Tue-Th 11-8
Fri 11-9
Sat 11-8
Sun 11-6

We carry a variety of Japanese Pop Culture Items. From anime (DVD, Blu-Ray, VHS, Laser Disc, new and used), then about 5,000 manga, add in Gundam models, wall scrolls, figures, Bento boxes and bento box supplies, plush, key chains, necklaces, buttons, pins, T-shirts, bags, Japanese erasers and more. For photos, look under the about us selection.

We carry new and used for a greater variety. We buy and trade. We are unable to take all items. Please call first to make sure we have someone to evaluate your items.